I don’t mean to pick on Manny Mota, really. He’s one of my favorite historical baseball players. But his rookie card from 1962 is not much to write home about. The above card is the reprint edition published in 1989.
In ‘62, Mota went 13 for 74 for a .176 batting average with just one double. He did manage three steals for the Giants.
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 Totals | 47 | 12 | 84 | 74 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | .176 | .253 | .189 |
Mota was pretty versatile in his rookie year. He played all three outfield positions as well as third base and second base. Given it was his first year in the majors, I’m sure Giant management was trying him out in different roles. He was rated fielding 3 at all three positions by APBA, justifiably so most likely.
One small piece of trivia: Mota led outfielders in DP turned two years in a row in 1969-70 for the Dodgers. His defense must have improved a little.
Other notes
- APBA’s placement of the 12 at 34 necessitated putting the 31 at 46
- Mota has a 22 placed at 31
One final note… despite his .176 average in 74 at-bats, Mota was a Cub-killer. He went 8 for 16 with 5 rbis against the Northsiders. That’s over half his total hits and rbis. What was I saying about him being a favorite???
Mota was one of my favorite Pirates players in the ’60s.
He could flat out hit.